It was a roll call of dignitaries at the funeral service of a political and social activist, Late Lady (Hon) Lawrencia Etuk, held at Holy Family Catholic, Church, Asuna, Etinan Local Government Area.

Late Hon (Mrs) Lawrencia Etuk according to her biography was born in August 1979 to the family of Late Mr and Mrs Raphael Udo Archibong of Nung Nkup Ekong family in Obio Ibiono village, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area as the youngest child in the family.

She began her primary education at Government Primary School, Osuk Ediene in Ikono Local Government Area, completed her Senior Secondary School at West Itam and obtained National Diploma in Business Studies from Akwa Ibom state polytechnic, Ikot Osurua.

Her quest for further education took her to the University of Uyo where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in History and International Studies. Death however cut her dream short from obtaining a Master’s degree in History and International Studies as she did not live to defend her research work.

Her political career started as a member of Akwa Ibom State Patriotic Front (AKPF) and later became the chapter coordinator of Uyai Iban Akwa Ibom in Etinan Local Government Area. She was also a member, National Council of Women Society (NCWS).

Late Hon Lawrencia Etuk was appointed a Supervisor for Women Affairs during the 2011 Transition Government in Etinan Local Government Council and subsequently served in the elected administration within 2012-2014.

Her last political appointment was Secretary in the 2023/2024 Transition Council in Etinan and ended up being an acting Chairman, Etinan Local Government Area where she oversaw the election of the present executive and legislative council in Etinan Local Government Area.

A Christian of the Catholic faith, she was an active member of Catholic Youth Organisation and after marriage she joined the Catholic Women Organisation. In July 2019, Late Hon Mrs Lawrencia Etuk was found worthy by the Holy Catholic Church and consequently honoured her as a Lady of Saint Mulumba Nigeria where she progressively grew to a 2nd Degree Lady in the honoured Order.

In a condolence message delivered to the family, the chairman of Etinan Local Government Area, Hon Uko Umoh, recalled his days with her in the Transition Committee that midwife the present local administration in Etinan and praised her for her strength of character, loyalty and dedication to duties.

“She was the full definition of a good woman, kind, social and loyal in all ramifications with an impeccable character and influence that was profound.

It saddens our heart and that of the entire Council that such a shinning light has been put off by death at a time it should shine brighter.

As we mourn her untimely exit, we take comfort in knowing that while on earth, she lived a life of purpose and service well pleasing to God and humanity. She will be dearly missed”

Late Hon Lady Lawrencia Etuk who was married in 2003 to Mr Benedict Etuk of Ikot Akpanya in Etinan Local Government Area is survived by three children.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno on Saturday joined numerous dignitaries to pay their last respects to Mama Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, mother of the All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, at her funeral service held at the Church of Christ in Nations headquarters in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

President Tinubu, in his remarks, described the late Mama Lydia as “a mother of the community, a mother of the state, and a humanitarian.”

Tinubu praised the APC National chairman as “a man of character and intellect” and commended the large turnout of governors, public officials, and dignitaries as a testament to the high regard for both the APC National Chairman and his mother.

“Let this day be one of joy and thanksgiving, even in mourning. The prayer of every mother is that her child succeeds—and you will. God will grant your prayers. Live a dedicated life, serve humanity, and remain faithful to God Almighty.”, Tinubu said.

On his part, Senate President Akpabio praised COCIN’s contributions to the North Central region through schools, clinics, and health centers.

He referenced Prof. Yilwatda’s tribute to his mother, describing her as “a perfect portrait of the virtuous African woman, a true matriarch” who instilled values of humanity, diligence, compassion, and faith. Akpabio commended President Tinubu as “a unifier” who bridges faiths, regions, and political divides, evident from the diverse attendance at the funeral.

Senator Akpabio told President Tinubu that the large turn out of the people who lined up the streets from the airport to the church was a sign that the people of Plateau were happy with the President. “From the airport, I witnessed the youths, women and men line up the streets waving the APC flag to welcome you. This is to show you that they love you and even before the next general elections the entire Plateau is APC,” he said.

Governor Mutfwang expressed gratitude for President Tinubu’s presence, stating, “Your esteemed presence means so much to the immediate Yilwatda family and to the people of Plateau State in general.”

He thanked the President for his support in addressing insecurity in Plateau State, noting improvements in security conditions.

“While we are grateful for the honour of your presence at this solemn occasion, we also look forward to welcoming you again soon, Mr. President. We would be delighted if you could visit Plateau State again in the near future to see for yourself the extent to which we have keyed into your Renewed Hope Agenda with the resources available to us”, Mutfwang said.

IN THE BEGINNING…

The story of Mrs Victoria Bassey Ibiatisuho (Mma Ibiatisuho) began as Victoria Hanson Enoh on Wednesday, 13th of August 1958 at the Poly Clinic Kaduna South in Kaduna State, where she was born into the family of Late Hanson Enoh Enoh, a military man who was popularly known as “Enoh aka ekong” and Late Madam Mary Hanson Enoh, both from Odio Town in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. She was the second girl and third child of the family.

EDUCATION

Her educational journey began at Odio Primary School in Eket, where she earned her First School Leaving Certificate in 1975. She proceeded to National High School, Etebi also in Eket and sat for the West African Examinations Council (W.A.E.C) exams in 1982. Following her quest for knowledge and self-improvement, Mma Ibiatisuho later got admitted into Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua in Ikot Ekpene where she bagged her National Diploma and then Osisatech Polytechnic, Enugu where she was awarded a Higher National Diploma in Business Administration.

CHRISTIAN LIFE

Her formative years were shaped by strong family values and a deep Christian faith. Mummy was born into a Christian home, embracing the Salvation Army doctrine which was the family church, but growing up, she joined Assemblies of God Church where she got born again on May 24, 1983 at Assemblies of God Church, 5 Fletcher Close, Abak. Following her new found salvation, she was baptized on January 27, 1984, and took her first communion on Sunday June 29, 1984.

With fresh fire and zeal for the things of God, Mma Ibiatisuho served diligently in various units of the church including Choir, Sanctuary Keeping, Evangelism, Sunday School, Prayer Band, Prison Ministry and also played active role in the Women’s Ministries, serving in many capacities at different times.

As a woman of deep faith whose love for God knew no bound, Mma Ibiatisuho played a significant role in the christian life of her children and husband, and when the call into full time ministry came, she did not only encourage, but sacrificed everything to make sure her husband answered the divine call and entered into the ministry seamlessly. Indeed, she was a ministry partner to her husband and ever supportive to him in all the stations they were posted.

Some of the stations include; Assemblies of God, Iboko Offot, now Akpan Attah, Assemblies of God Ikot Abang in Ibiono Ibom LGA, Assemblies of God, Obio Offot, Assemblies of God, Ifa Ikot Akpan and Assemblies of God, Enwe Street in Uyo as her last station.

In each of these stations, mummy played the role of women adviser and often led and encourage the church to pray, she had the gift of praying and never got tired displaying it at all times.

MARITAL LIFE

The young Victoria exuded classic beauty from birth, clothed with strength and dignity. These qualities made her the cynosure of all eyes and attracted many suitors to her, but prayerfully, she chose a young handsome man, Rev. Bassey S. Ibiatisuho, an indigene of Ibianga Okukuk in Oruk Anam Local Government Area, whom she met in Ikom, Cross River State in 1981, and with the consent of their parents, they got married in March 1982. The union was blessed with six children – three boys and three girls.

WORK EXPERIENCE

On April 10, 1992, mummy was enlisted into the Nigerian Prisons Service, now Nigerian Correctional Service as a Prisons Assistant. Her dedication and performance earned her steady promotions through the ranks – Senior Prisons Assistant in 1994, Assistant Inspector of Prisons in 1996, Inspector of Prisons in 2001, Senior Inspector of Prisons in 2013, Principal Inspector of Prisons in 2017 and eventually Assistant Superintendent of Corrections in 2021. She served in Uyo Correctional Centre, Nigerian Correctional Service Headquarters, Uyo and Ikot Ekpene Correctional Centre.

Mma Ibiatisuho served the Nigerian Correctional Service with distinction until her meritorious retirement on October 22, 2022. While serving at the custodial centres, Mma Ibiatisuho also had a special prison ministry and led many inmates, some who have become Pastors now to God.

SOCIAL LIFE

Mummy was industrious, a typical example of the Biblical virtuous woman who loved and respected her husband, cared for her children and was never tired of catering for the needs of those around her. She was a businesswoman who ventured into different businesses as an alternative source of income to support the family. She excelled in trading of different commodities and also specialised on both domestic and commercial products like; Kunu, Yoghurt, Ice-Cream, Buns, Zobo, Akara etc.

Mma Ibiatisuho was a beautiful soul with an adorable personality. She lived a contented but very sacrificial life and more often than not, deprived herself of comfort to put smiles on the faces of others. Those who came in contact with her can testify that she bore the burdens of others and was a beacon of hope as family members, church members, colleagues and even community members found solace around her. She was a very peaceful woman who often chose peace than seeking her right on many occasion and was always pushing for reconciliation at all times among family and church members.

THE END!

Mrs Victoria Bassey Ibiatisuho had battled different health challenges for years, which negatively impacted her quality of life in her later years. With faith in God and regular medication, she managed the condition for years with the loving care of her family. On Sunday, March 30, 2025, Mothering Sunday, mummy showed no sign of sickness, she attended service as usual, rejoiced with the brethren, gave testimony of how God was healing her and invited the church to dance with her. After service, she gathered all the women and advised them to renew their service to the things of God and thereafter took a long time to pray for them, promising to see them in the next women’s meeting.

Later that evening, she cooked and hosted her nieces and others who visited her, still with no serious sign of sickness. However, her health got drastically bad at night, and all efforts to normalise her was abortive, she was rushed to the hospital where medical efforts did little or nothing to restore her, as she sank away slowly into a deep sleep at midday on April 2, 2025.

We thank God for the 66 beautiful years she lived, though we are deeply saddened by her demise at the time she supposed to reap the fruits of her labour, we are consoled that as a true soldier of the cross, she died at her post and if we remain steadfast in Christ and not turn away from the track, we shall meet her again in that beautiful land across the River.

She is survived by Husband, Children, Grandchildren, Brothers, Nieces, Nephews, In-laws, Relations, the Church and the Community to mourn her demise.